Mick Hartley

The reach of South Korean TV into North Korea is, apparently, greater than previously thought:

South Korean TV programs can now be watched even in the northernmost part of North Korea if the channels are adjusted secretly, according to Open Radio for North Korea….

"People in Onsong can watch South Korean programs real-time by adjusting their TV channels," a source in Onsong said. "The North Korean authorities give out licenses to watch TV and listen to radio only if the channels are soldered in place to prevent people from clandestinely watching or listening to foreign programs, but people with enough technical knowledge can alter the channels."

The source said the best reception for South Korean TV is between 9 p.m. and midnight, when the news is on [North] Korean Central TV. "Some people remove the soldering on the receivers at this time and then put it back before they go to bed," the source added.   

Open Radio speculated that this became possible only last year. North Koreans were astonished when they first encountered South Korean TV coincidentally, and had to try to hide their delight. But now watching South Korean TV has become so prevalent that even when security officials find it out, residents stand up to them, telling them there is nothing worth watching on North Korean TV. 

Indeed. A recent showpiece historical drama produced by the North was pulled recently by order of an incensed Dear Leader when he saw how bad it was.